Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-02-01
Letter From Charleston.

The following letter was received
] Just too late for our last issue. We
therefore omit items of Legislative
news already published in our last {:
CHARLESTON, w. VA,
January 22, 1887.
To the Editor of the Spirit:
DEAR SIR: A few timely remarks
from the Capital of our State will
doubtless be of interest to your read
crs and the people of our county.
This city has been agitated with
politics ever since the Legislature
convened, the most important topic
of discussion being that of selecting
our next United States Senator. The
most of the people here are in favor
of Camden, and he has many ardent
workers who never lose an oppor-
tunity to speak in his favor, and
everybody, resident of this city, is
confident of his recollection, but if the
opposition of our own county DEF
ferson) can accomplish his defeat, he
will certainly be defeated. He was
the nominee of the Democratic eau
Gus held in the Capitol on last
Wednesday night and received 35
votes of the 81 cast. There was no
demonstration of joy or applause at
his nomination, and the quietness of
the caucus was very noticeable. About
400 people were present, the caucus
being held with open doors.
The Legislature has not been idle
and already the number of bills in
troduccd has reached 159, many of
which are very important bills and
will be beneficial laws if passed. The
prohibition question has received its
share of notice, and nearly 500 petit
tions from various parts of the State,
signed by parties ranging from half
u dozen up to one thousand have
been laid before the Legislature. A
large hamper basket would not hold
half of them. 1t is thought the res
olution to submit the question to a
vote of the people will be carried
and voters will then have the oppOr-
tunity to express their sentiments at
the polls.
The Knights of Labor of the K;-
nawha Valley numbering over 1900
presented to the Legislature q petit
ton, one clause of which is as fol-
lows:
WHEREAS, The State Legislature
will convene in the city of Charleston
at an early date, and as one of the
most important actions that it will
take is the election of All United
States Senator, be it
Resolved, That we, in voicing the
sentiments of the laboring people of
the Kanawha Valley, respectfully re-
quest of that body that. in the cleo
ton of United States Senator, they
will select one who will represent the
people of the State. and one who is
not connected with monopoly i'll any
form; and be it
Resolved, That VIC request at the
hands of the Legislature such action
in regard to discrimination in rates
by railroad companies as will prevent
them from charging q less amount
for carrying freight long distance
than for a shorter one. and from
making special rates for favored cor
porations.
Mr.. Lucas offered the following
resolution, which was agreed to-:
RESOLVED, That in reply to the COM
munication of the committee of the
Knights of Labor of the Kanawha
Valley, District Assembly No. 3, the
Speaker is requested to reply on be-
half of this House that the Committee
on Mines and Mining. or any other
committee of this house, will he
pleased to give them audience for the
discussion of the Legislation they de-
sire.
Col. Chew is Chairman of the Com
mittee on Taxation and Finance. the
most important committee in the Leg
islature. The Speaker did we'll in
appointing him to this committee,
and he will discharge his duty faith
fully and to the best interests of the
people. The Col. is actively engaged
on the work of his committee. and by
the instruction of the committee has
reported back to the House for pas
sage the bill repeating the exemption
clause in the tax law. The bill to
abolish the tax on tobacco is under
consideration, and the Col. informs
me will be favorahly reported to the
House. a tax bill is being prepared
and will he perfected by the commit
tee. and will in due time be reported
to the House for passage.
1t is only due tribute to our rep
rescntativcs from jefferson. to say
that they are fully coenizant of the
wants of our people and are doing all
in their power to guard, preserve and
promote the interests of the people
of jefferson.
Communicated.